A17698:1039
Sermons upon Deuteronomy
The sermons of M. John Calvin upon the fifth book of Moses called Deuteronomy faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpit; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneva, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chief matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alleged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the fifth booke of Moses called Deuteronomie faithfully gathered word for word as he preached them in open pulpet; together with a preface of the ministers of the Church of Geneua, and an admonishment made by the deacons there. Also there are annexed two profitable tables, the one containing the chiefe matters; the other the places of Scripture herein alledged. Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.
London: printed by Henry Middleton for George Bishop, 1583
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IT might seem at the first sight that this commandment were more than needeth, because that in condemning of theft & whoredom, God meant thereby §50to repress all wicked affections. For I told you that we must expound these commandments according to gods nature, and we know that it is Gods peculiar office to search mens hearts,1 so as he knoweth even the deepest, secretest, and hiddenest thoughts. It followeth then that in forbidding men to be thieves and whoremasters, he meant also to bridle their affections and lusts. And indeed, if it were not so: God had no more power in making of laws,§60 than mortal men. For if an earthly man condemneth whoredom, he will also condemn the intent of it. If there appear a wicked intent, it shall be punished. If Gods Law were no more but so: it were a matter of no great importance: for it were but a civil order to govern us honestly to the worldward. But there is much more in it: for we see how S. Paul saith,2 that the law cannot be kept without a pure conscience and an unfeigned faith. It it be requisite for us to have such a soundness in us, for the well keeping of Gods Law: it followeth that all wicked lusts were forbidden under the name of whoredom. As much is to be said of the word Theft. Also we might allege the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is a faithful expounder of the Law.3 For it is by his spirit, that Moses and all the Prophets spake. Why then is it added here, that we must not covet? If all wicked lusts were spoken of before: why should they be repeated again? We must mark, that in this place God meaneth not to repress the affections that are fully intended and determined upon: but the other affections or motions that stir us up and provoke us although we neither stick to them nor consent to them. This requireth a longer and plainer exposition.
IT might seeme at the first sight that this commandement were more than needeth, because that in condemning of thefte & whoredome, God ment therby §50to represse all wicked affections. For I told you that we must expounde these commandements according to gods nature, and we knowe that it is Gods peculiar office to serch mens hearts,